Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Acton Man Dies of Burns Suffered in Outdoor Fire
(Acton) An Acton man has died after suffering serious burns while trying to suppress an outdoor fire. Public Safety Information Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to Ice Road in Acton shortly before 11 a.m. last Sunday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears to have originated outdoors and resulted in damage to nearby woods and a shed. The homeowner, 64 yo Volney Spalding, suffered serious burns to his upper body and was LifeFlighted to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
(Acton) A 64 yo Acton man has died of injuries suffered while trying to suppress a fire outside his home last Sunday. Authorities say the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to the home on Ice Road in Acton on November 17th. Nearby woods and a shed were damaged and the homeowner, 64 yo Volney Spalding, suffered serious burns. Spalding was LifeFlighted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he passed away on Wednesday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the Fire Marshal’s Office says it appears to have originated outdoors.
Tom’s of Maine Accused of Violations by US FDA
(Sanford) Tom’s of Maine, known for manufacturing additive-free toothpaste, deodorant and other personal care products, is being accused of not using enough care when making those products. The Food and Drug Administration says an inspection at the company’s Sanford plant turned up a black mold-like substance. The Portland Press Herald reports a warning letter sent to parent company Colgate-Palmolive contends Tom’s has been aware of potentially dangerous bacteria in water samples taken from the company since 2021. The mold-like substance and a powder residue were reportedly found near equipment that comes into contact with Tom’s products. A company spokesperson says it has hired a water specialist and is working to upgrade the plant.
(Sanford) Contaminated water used to clean manufacturing equipment, a black mold-like substance, and powder residue near equipment that comes into contact with personal care products. Those are some of the violations reportedly cited in a letter sent to the parent company of Tom’s of Maine after an inspection of a plant in Sanford turned up the infractions. The letter, sent to Colgate-Palmolive, claims Tom’s has been aware of potentially dangerous bacteria in water samples taken from the company since 2021. According to the Portland Press Herald, water samples included several strains of bacteria that can cause blood and lung infections, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. A spokesperson for Tom’s said the company had hired a water specialist and is working to upgrade the plant.
Multi-Agency Operation Targets Child Exploitation in Maine
(Maine) Maine State Police, five municipal police departments, and the Sheriff’s Departments of two Maine counties. Warrants and other related investigations executed in 17 municipalities in western and southern Maine over the course of four days this week. Multiple agencies joined Homeland Security Investigations to conduct a focused child exploitation enforcement operation. Authorities tell Star 97.7, in all 16 search warrants were executed confirming the possession, dissemination, and production of child sexual abuse material, as well as disseminating sexually explicit material to minors and online coercion of children to produce sexual abuse material. Two people have been arrested so far. The Maine Department of Public Safety says the investigation is ongoing.
(Maine) An investigation this week in southern and western Maine involved Homeland Security, multiple state, county, and municipal law enforcement personnel, and resulted in 16 search warrants executed in 17 municipalities over four days. The huge operation was part of a focused child exploitation enforcement investigation that resulted in search warrants being executed confirming possession, dissemination, and production of child sexual abuse material, as well as disseminating sexually explicit material to minors and online coercion of children to produce sexual abuse material. Warrants and other related investigations were executed in Limington, Kittery, Fryeburg, Norway, West Paris and multiple other towns. So far, two people have been arrested. The Maine Department of Public Safety says the investigation is ongoing.
MSP Investigating Lincoln Homicide
(Lincoln) A shooting death in Lincoln on Wednesday is now being investigated as a homicide. Police were called to a home on Mohawk Drive shortly before 9:30 Wednesday morning and discovered the body of a victim now believed to be 51 yo Jason Nadeau. An autopsy Thursday confirmed Nadeau suffered fatal gunshot wounds and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Maine State Police have processed the scene and reportedly identified all parties involved. However, no arrests have been made. Authorities are calling it an isolated incident and say there are no public safety concerns.
(Lincoln) Police now calling a deadly shooting in Lincoln on Wednesday a homicide. Authorities say a 9-1-1 caller reported a shooting at a home on Mohawk Drive shortly before 9:30 Wednesday morning. Responding officers discovered a deceased male at the home and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. An autopsy Thursday led to the victim being identified as 51 yo Jason Nadeau and confirmed he suffered fatal gunshot wounds as the result of a homicide. Maine State Police have processed the scene and reportedly identified all parties involved. However, no arrests have been made. Authorities are calling it an isolated incident and say there are no public safety concerns.
Local Politics
Collins Calls for “Extensive Review” of Trump’s Health Picks
(Washington, DC) Yesterday, Star 97.7 shared Republican Senator Susan Collins’s concern regarding Donald Trump’s pick of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. Collins was joined by other Republicans, and on Thursday, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration amid intense scrutiny involving allegations of sexual misconduct. On Wednesday, Collins also said Donald Trump’s nominees for key health positions should be fully vetted. The Bangor Daily News reports Maine’s Senator specifically referenced Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an outspoken vaccine critic nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, a TV celebrity nominated to lead the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Collins has also argued strongly against recess appointments, which have been floated by the President-elect and which could bypass the scrutiny of high level appointees that require Senate confirmation.
(Washington, DC) Senator Susan Collins left no doubt about her concern regarding Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, who yesterday withdrew his name from consideration after others joined Collins in expressing concern. Speaking at an event on the future of cognitive care this week, Maine’s Senator also called for an “extensive review” of the President elect’s health appointees, including outspoken anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy, Junior and controversial TV doctor Dr. Mehmet Oz. The Bangor Daily News reports Collins has also argued strenuously against recess appointments, which have been floated by the President-elect and which could bypass the scrutiny of high level appointees that require Senate confirmation.
Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Referendum Recount Scheduled
(Bar Harbor) A vote by Bar Harbor residents regarding cruise ship visitation caps is headed for a recount. The Mount Desert Islander reports a recount of the close vote was requested by Kevin DesVeaux, co-owner of West Street Cafe. Council’s attempt to replace the current 1,000 cruise ship passenger cap with a new plan was narrowly defeated on election day, 1776 to 1713 – a difference of just 63 votes. Town Clerk Liz Graves said the recount will take place beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow in the Municipal Building Auditorium.
(Bar Harbor) The vote on the cruise ship passenger limit issue in Bar Harbor is headed for a recount starting tomorrow. An attempt to replace the current 1,000 passenger cap with a new plan was defeated by just 63 votes on Election Day – 1776 to 1713. The Mount Desert Islander reports the recount was requested by Kevin DesVeaux, who co-owns West Street Cafe. The recount is set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Municipal Building Auditorium.
Race for 2nd Congressional District Goes to Recount
(Augusta) It may be starting to feel like the never-ending story. A recount in the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District gets underway a week from Monday. Last Friday, after the required ranked choice tabulation, the Secretary of State’s office announced Democrat Jared Golden was the winner over Republican Austin Theriault. However, by law, Theriault was allowed to request that a recount follow the ranked choice tabulation. That’s what will happen on December 2nd. The ranked choice tabulation showed a vote difference of less than one percent, with Golden receiving 50.35% of the vote to Theriault’s 49.65%.
(Augusta) Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’s Office has scheduled a recount in the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. The contest between Democrat Jared Golden and Republican Austin Theriault required a ranked choice tabulation, with Golden declared the winner on November 15th. But, by law, Theriault was allowed to and did request that a recount follow that tabulation. The recount will happen on December 2nd. There were many close races in the November 5th election – you can find daily recount information on my FB page.
Environment
Spruce Budworms Making Comeback in Maine
(Maine) Forestry experts warn spruce budworms are making a comeback in Maine. The Portland Press Herald reports an aerial survey in July confirmed at least 3,000 acres of Maine’s forest were damaged by the pest. Spruce budworms devastated Maine’s forests for years; and University of Maine modeling shows this year, more than 178,000 acres are at risk of defoliation when larvae emerge from their cocoons next spring. Economists say past outbreaks lead to a devaluation of the pulp market and the loss of hundreds of logging jobs once the market collapsed. Scientists say the pest prefers balsam fir and white spruce, though not exclusively. They say they’re hoping landowners can spray outbreaks with pesticides to help stem the current epidemic.
(Maine) Spruce budworms in the past led to a devaluation of the pulp market in Maine, resulting in the loss of hundreds of logging jobs once the market collapsed. And The Portland Press Herald reports the pest is making a comeback. University of Maine modeling shows more than 178,000 acres are at risk of defoliation when larvae emerge from their cocoons next spring. Maine has opened the country’s only budworm lab in order to identify areas of concern. They’re hoping once areas are identified, landowners can spray outbreaks with pesticide that may stem the current budworm activity.
Maine DACF Encourages Gift-Givers to Send Holiday Cheer, Not Pests
(Augusta) Decorating with Maine-grown wreaths, trees, and other plants is a seasonal tradition. But the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reminds residents if you’re sending such items as gifts, be sure you’re sending cheer and not pests and other problems. They say when shipping greenery to friends and family, be aware of state laws and regulations regarding the movement of plants and forest products. Also, be sure you’re not shipping invasive plants such as Asiatic bittersweet, check for pests before packaging, and clearly label packages with the words “Grown in Maine”. If you’re unsure of requirements between states or internationally, you can email horticulture at maine dot gov with questions.
(Augusta) It’s common for Mainers to ship trees, wreaths and greenery to other parts of the country this time of year. A word of caution on that from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which says make sure you’re shipping cheer – and not problems. They say, when shipping greenery, be aware that other states and countries have various regulations regarding the movement of plants and forest products. At the most basic, they say be sure you’re not shipping invasive plants such as Asiatic bittersweet, check for pests before packaging, and clearly label packages with the words “Grown in Maine”. If you’re unsure of requirements between states or internationally, you can get the facts by emailing horticulture at maine dot gov.
Sports
The Bruins eeked out a 1-zip win last night over Utah. Bruins in Detroit Saturday to hit the ice against the Red Wings.
The Celtics in the nation’s capital tonight to shoot hoops with the Wizards as the group stage of the NBA Cup gets underway.
The Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday to tackle the Dolphins.